DALLAS MAN INDICTED FOR ASSAULT ON IRANIAN-AMERICAN MAN AT MCDONALD’S RESTAURANT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Divison, R. Alexander Acosta and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Attorney Jane Boyle announced today that a Dallas man has been indicted in connection with a March 17, 2002 bias motivated assault.

According to the indictment, filed yesterday in U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Curtis William Murillo assaulted an Iranian-American man at a McDonald’s restaurant on Montfort Drive in Dallas. The indictment alleges that Murillo attacked the victim because of his race, color and national origin. The victim suffered bodily injury as a result of the assault.

Murillo surrendered to authorities after an arrest warrant was issued for him. It is anticipated that he will make his initial appearance before Honorable Wm. F. Sanderson, Jr., United States Magistrate Judge today at 2 p.m. CST.

The charges against Murillo carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

This case is one of numerous federal prosecutions initiated nationwide since the events of September 11 involving threats or acts of violence against persons who are, or were perceived to be, Arab or Muslim. Federal charges have been brought in 15 cases resulting in convictions of 17 defendants. The Justice Department has also coordinated with state and local authorities, who have initiated over 130 prosecutions of similar incidents under state criminal statutes.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and the Dallas Police Department. The FBI is asking anyone who may have seen part of the assault on March 17, 2002, at the McDonald’s located on 13105 Montfort Drive to assist authorities by contacting them at (972) 559-5000. The case is being jointly prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Hastings and Trial Attorney Malachi B. Jones, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice.

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